Child&#39;s night light and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A combination night light and toy includes a plush toy that has one of a metallic element and a magnet embedded therein. A light housing has the other one of a magnet and a metallic element affixed thereto for being removably affixable to the toy. A remotely activatable light-emitting element is housed within the light housing. A pressure-sensitive activation element is embedded within the plush toy for emitting a signal adapted to control an on/off state of the light-emitting element. In use, a child can remove the light housing from the plush toy and place it in a desired area. Upon squeezing the plush toy, a signal is emitted to turn the light-emitting element on or off. The device thus serves the multiple purposes of serving as a remotely activatable night light, as a means for reducing scotophobia in children, and as a toy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to night lights, and, more particularly, to night lights for children.

2. Description of Related Art

Night lights are known in the art, including those to help lessen a child's fear of the dark.

It would be desirable to provide a night light that is remotely activatable by a child and that also provides a toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a combination night light and toy. The device comprises a plush or other squeezable type of toy that has one of a metallic element and a magnet embedded therein. A light housing has the other one of a magnet and a metallic element affixed to a base thereof. The light housing is thus removably affixable to the toy.

A light-emitting element is housed within the light housing, the light-emitting element being remotely activatable. An activation element is embedded within the plush toy that comprises pressure-sensitive means for emitting a signal adapted to control an on/off state of the light-emitting element.

In use, a child can remove the light housing from the plush toy and place it in a desired area. Upon squeezing the plush toy, a signal is emitted to turn the light-emitting element on or off.

The device thus serves the multiple purposes of serving as a remotely activatable night light, as a means for reducing scotophobia in children, and as a toy.

The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the toy and night light of the present invention with the night light portion removed from the toy.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the toy and night light with the night light portion engaged with the toy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The device 10 comprises a plush toy 11 that has one of a metallic element and a magnet embedded therein, in this particular embodiment beneath the star 12 on the animal's chest. The creature shown herein is exemplary, and one of skill in the art will recognize that any plush or other form of toy that has a squeezable portion will suit the invention. Also embedded within the toy 11 is an activation element (not shown). Such an activation element comprises pressure-sensitive means for emitting a signal adapted to control an on/off state of a light-emitting element. The activation element may be positioned in principle anywhere within the toy 11; here, it is located adjacent the star 12 as well.

A light housing 13 has the other one of a magnet and a metallic element affixed within a casing 14. The light housing 13 is thus removably affixable to the toy 11 atop the star 12.

A light-emitting element, for example, an LED light source 15, is housed within the light housing 13. The LED can be activated remotely by means of the activation element in the toy 11. In an alternate embodiment, a switch 16 located at the back side 17 of the light housing 13 can also be provided. In a preferred embodiment, a timer element connected to the LED light source 15 is used to automatically turn off the light source 15 after a predetermined time. A switch may also be provided to permit a person, for example, a parent, to initiate the remote control feature.

It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that additional embodiments may be contemplated, including other light-emitting elements such as miniature light bulbs and other means of affixing the housing to the toy, such as Velcro or other affixing means.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the apparatus illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction. 

1. A combination night light and toy comprising: a plush toy having one of a metallic element and a magnet embedded therein; a light housing having the other one of a magnet and a metallic element affixed to a base thereof, the light housing removably affixable to the toy via attraction between the metallic element and the magnet; a light-emitting element housed within the light housing, the light-emitting element remotely activatable; and an activation element embedded within the plush toy, the activation element comprising pressure-sensitive means for emitting a signal adapted to control an on/off state of the light-emitting element. 